Photographic print apparatus.



No. 888,540. A PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

W. E. SINCLAIR. v PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SBP.T.10,1904.

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PATENTED MAY 26, 1908;

W. E. SINCLAIR.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 10,1904.

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W. B. SINCLAIR.

PHOTOGRAPHIO PRINT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10.1904.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. SINCLAIR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO IIALLER MACHINE 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. SINoLAIn, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Photographic Print Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to photographic printing apparatus wherein drawings or other original matter may be reproduced upon sensitized paper by means of a traveling source of artificial lightwhich is caused to travel bodily before or abreast of the matter reproduced to direct, more effectually,

' the rays of said light thereon.

Printing apparatus of this character generally includes a transparent wall and a co operating flexible curtain between which is interposed the original matter to be reproduced and the prepared paper upon which the reproduction is to be made.

My .invention relates more particularly to mechanism causing bodily travelof said artificial light, and which regulates the speed of travel thereof, and also, to mechanism for actuating the curtain of said printing apparatus.

One object of my invention is the provision of actuating mechanism for said artificial light, including air governing means, the latter serving to regulate the speed of travel of said light, said actuating mechanism, in the preferred embodiment, also causing automatic interruption of the bodily travel and operation of said light when the printing operation is completed.

A further feature of my invention, in cludes a curtain actuating mechanism, desirably having intermeshing elements, which mechanism provides tension for said curtain and also automatically anchors the same in any position in which it may be adjusted.

In my improved device the travel of the lamp is preferably regulated by means of a controller operating upon atmospheric air, which controller desirably includes a fan and a train of gears.

In printing apparatus of this character it is essential to effect a substantially uniform engagement. of the original matter and the prepared or sensitized paper upon which a reproduction is to be made and to maintain such engagement throughout the printing operation. In the device of my invention, tension for the curtain is secured during the operation of and by the roller actuating means, thereby effecting by a single mechanism the performance of a double function.

My invention will be more fully described by reference to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a printing apparatus embodying the main features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line aa of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail front elevation of the preferred form of air controlling mechanism. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line b-b of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line c c of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a contracted detail section on line d-d of Fig. 1. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views on line e-e and of Fig. 7. Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate features of construction. Fig. 12 is a detail section showing the preferred means of connecting supporting elements of the lamp. Fig. 13 is a detail showing the preferred means of connecting the lamp to supporting means therefor.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the different figures of the drawings.

The application of the main features of my invention is herein shown in connection with a printing frame having a generally cylindric formation, though it will be understood that my improved devices are serviceable in connection with other forms of printing apparatus and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise application herein illustrated.

An artificial lighting means is shown in the form of an electric arc lamp 1 which is adapted to be raised and lowered within a transparent cylinder, preferably formed of glass sections 2, the latter being interposed between annular supporting frames 3, reference being had to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive. The said cylinder and its annular frames 3 are desirably mounted on a supporting structure having a base portion 4 and vertical extensions 5, the latter desirably constituting a support for the actuating mechanism of said lamp. Said actuating mechanism desirably includes a counter balance, preferably in the form of a weight 6, which cooperates with the lamp, by connecting means, and an air governor, in effecting the bodily travel of said lamp 1 during the printing operation. In the preferred construction, said connecting means consists of metallic ribbons 7 and 8 which are trained about sheaves 9, 10, 11 and 12. Said ribbon 7 is desirably trained about the sheave 9 and is secured at one end to the lamp and at its other end to the sheave 10, while the ribbon 8 is secured to the sheave 11 at one end and training about the sheave 12 is anchored to a stationary part 13 at its other end (Figs. 2 and 4). The said sheaves 10 and 11 are non-rotatably or rigidly se cured to a shaft 14, which is supported in bearings 15 formed upon a frame 16. It will be obvious that as the counter weight 6 travels downwardly, the ribbon 8, cooperating therewith, will unwind from the sheave 11, thereby effecting a winding action of the ribbon 7 upon the sheave 10, causing the lamp 1 to travel upwardly. This operation is preferably effected by the operator when it is desired to start the printing operation the counter weight being manually lowered to its downward limit of travel, the lamp 1 thereby being elevated to its upper limit of travel.

It will be understood that the speed regulating device, during the ascent of the lamp 1, need not and preferably does not cooperate therewith, although it is obvious that the device of my invention may effectively act in connection with a printing apparatus wherein the operation of the lamp and counter weight is other than that shown in the preferred embodiment. The speed of downward travel of the lamp 1 is desirably governed by the following mechanism. The shaft 14 carries a loosely mounted gear wheel 17 having a spring actuated pawl 18 adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 19 rigidly mounted on said shaft 14, desirably in a position adjacent to said gear wheel 17. It will be obvious that during the downward travel of the lamp 1, the ratchet wheel will, through the medium of the pawl 18, rotate the gear 17 in a direction similar to the direction of rotation of the shaft 14 and the sheaves 10 and 11 and further that during the upward travel of the lamp 1 the pawl 18 will freely pass over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 19, thereby pre venting the governing mechanism from controlling the speed of upward travel of said lamp. Between the gear wheel 17 and a fan 20 is desirably interposed a train of gears including a gear 21 which is in mesh with the gear 17, a gear 22, in mesh with the gear 23 and a worm gear 24 which cooperates directly with the fan 20 by means of a worm 25, formed upon the shaft 26, to which the blades of said fan 20 are secured. The gearing above described drives the said fan at a relatively high rate of speed, producing a regular and desirably slow rate of travel for the lamp 1, preferably during the descent thereof in the cylinder, which is preferably during the printing operation. In order that the rate of travel of said lamp 1 may be varied according to the speed conditions under which the apparatus may be operated, means are provided whereby the blades of the fan 20 may be adjusted to extend a greater or less distance from the shaft 26. Said. means preferably includes a bearing 27 to which the fan blades are desirably pivotally mounted, the same being thereby spaced apart laterally of the shaft 26. When it is desired to decrease the speed of travel of said lamp 1, the blades of the fan 20 are adjusted to extend an increased distance on either side of the shaft 26 and when a relatively faster travel of the lamp 1 is desired the blades are adjusted. to extend a relatively decreased distance from the shaft 26 (Figs. 4 and 5), the frictional engagement of the pivot-bolts 28 with ears 29 of the fan blades being sufficient to hold. said blades in their adjusted position.

Mechanism is desirably provided whereby the downward travel of the lamp 1. may be automatically interrupted at the completion of the printing operation, which mechanism, in the preferred construction, is as follows. Upon the shaft 26 is desirably frictionally mounted a finger 30, which, in the rotation of said shaft, intersects the plane of operation of a second finger 31. Said-finger 31 is desirably rigidly mounted upon a vertically reciprocating rod 32, which, in the preferred embodiment, is operated by the counter weight 6, the latter being, in the preferred. form, constructed as follows. The said counter weight 6 desirably includes a frame structure having lateral tubular members and horizontal connecting members 34 and 35, the latter desirably carrying the sheave 12. The said frame preferably accommodates removable counter weight bars 36 the number of which may be increased and decreased. The said weights may also constitute a means of speed regulation in addition to the adjustable blades of the fan 20 The said frame of the counter Weight is desirably guided in its vertical travel by a rod 37, which, as shown, is rigidly mounted to the upper and lower supporting frames 3. Said guide rod 37 passes through one of the lateral tubular members 33 in a manner permitting the said frame ample freedom of movement and also firmly guiding the same. A rod 38 also acts as a guide for said frame, as shown, said rod passing through one of the tubular members 33 and being preferably guided by the upper annular frame 3 in its vertical recip rocation. Saidrod38is adjustablyconnected at its upper end with the rod 32 on which the finger 31 is secured. The reciprocating action of said rod 38 is desirably effected by means of a nut 39 adjustably mounted upon said. arm, said spring thcreb ythrowing said said rod in a position to be engaged by the connecting member 35 of the counter weight frame, as will be seen more clearly by reference to Figs. 1 and 3.

An upward reciprocation of the rod 38 raises the finger 31 into the plane of operation of the finger 30, thereby preventing further rotation of the shaft 26 and interrupting the further operation of the governing mech anism and the lamp 1. In order that the worm on the shaft 26 and other mechanism may not be unduly strained when the opera tion of the mechanism is suddenly interrupted, the finger 30 is desirably frictionally mounted on the shaft 26. The counter weight 6 after engaging the nut 39 upon the rod 38 maintains said fingers in a locked position, limiting further movement of the lamp and counter weight until the parts are restored to a starting position for a future printing operation.

It is desirable that the operation of the lamp 1. should be interrupted after the limit of its descending movement has been reached in order that the current may not be wasted and further to revent that portion of the sensitized paper located near the base of said cylinder from being exposed to the rays of the light for a greater length of time than are those portions located at the upper or intermediate positions upon the cylinder. To this end I desirably provide means whereby the upward reciprocation of the rod 38 results in cutting out the lamp from its current supply. The lower end of said rod 38 is preferably pivotally secured (see Figs. 1, 10 and 11.) to a rock-arm 4O which'is rigidly mounted upon a rock-shaft 41, the latter having bearings in a stationary part 42. Said rock-shaft 41 desirably carries a bifurcated detent arm 43 which normally engages aloop-spring 44, preferably mounted upon the switcl'nblock A. two pole knife-switch 46 serves to cut the lamp 1 in and out of circuit with its source of current, the operator manually closing said switch when the lamp has been elevated to its starting position. Automatic mechanism for opening said switch when the lamp has descended to its lowest position desirably consists in the parts above described, the operation thereof being .as follows. Vr hen the operator closes the hinge-knife 46, the spring 44 is thrust inwardly into engagement with hook projections upon the detent arm 43. The finger 31 as shown, engages a stop-bearing 47 adjacent to the fan 20 (Figs. 3 and 4) thereby limiting the downward movement of the rod 38, which actuates said arm 43. When the descending travel of the lamp brings the counter weight frame into engagement with the button 39, an upward reciprocation of the rod is effected, which releases the detent arm 43 from engagement with the spring 44 causing an upward movement of switch-knife outwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11v

fig. 12 shows a detail section of the sheave 11 illustrating the preferred manner of anchoring the ribbon 8 thereto the ribbon '7 being similarly anchored to the sheave 10. A slot 49 is desirably formed in the working periphery of the sheave wherethrough a looped end portion of the ribbon is passed, pin 50 being preferably inserted through the loop portion to enlarge the same and prevent its withdrawal from the sheave. lfig. 13 shows in detail the manner of securing the end of the ribbon 7 to the lamp 1.

The features of my invention relating to the curtains and the actuating means therefor desirably include the following mechanism, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 6 to 9, inclusive. Rollers 51, desirably carrying the opposite ends of a curtain 52, are mounted. to permit bodily movement of the same and the rollers about the cylinder'with which they cooperate, to permit the insertion of the matter to be printed and to effect the inclosure of said matter between the curtain and the cylinder during the printing operation. 111 order to support said rollers in an operative position with respect to the glass, supporting tracks 53 are desirably formed upon the upper and lower frames 3. The said tracks are desirably provided with annular and inwardly projecting flanges 54 which engage projecting spindles 55 on either end of said rollers. Means are provided whereby the rollers 51 may be axially rotated during the bodily movement thereof in order that that portion of the curtain removedfrom the cylinder maybe taken up, preferably by being wound about said rollers. To this end 1 preferably provide an intermeshing mechanism for effecting the said axial rotation of the rollers 51, which mechanism, in the preferred construction, includes racks 56 and pinions 57. Said racks are desirably mounted upon the cylinder, preferably directly upon the upper and lower supporting frames 3, and de sirably extend throughout the path of bodily travel of said rollers, which construction serves to effect a uniform stretch of the curtain.

It will be seen that the inwardly projecting flanges 54 maintain continuous engagement between the pinions and the rack throughout their bodily travel, said flanges being removably secured, preferably at their forward ends, in order to more easily facilitate the bodily adjustment of said pinions upon the rack, one or two teeth ahead, to effect a take-up of slack in said curtain caused by continued use thereof. The manner whereby said flanges may be detached will be seen by reference to Figs. 7 and 9, wherein screws are shown securing said flanges 54 to the track 53. In the operation of inserting original matter and sensitized or prepared paper, upon the glass cylinder, the roller is bodily moved in a rearward direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9, to expose the said section 2 and permit matter to be positioned thereon.

It will be understood that as each drawing and the sensitizedpaper therefor is positioned upon the cylinder, the roller is manually thrust in a forward or reverse direction to that indicated by the arrow of Fig. 9, thereby inclosing the said matter between the curtain and said cylinder. During this operation it is essential that uniform engagement be effected between the matter to be printed, the curtain and the cylinder. To this end I desirably construct the gear pinions 57 and the rack 56 of such proportions with respect to the roller and cylinder as to effect a stretching action of the curtain during the operation of inclosing the glass therewith.

This result is most desirably effected by increasing the diameter of the pinions 57 with respect to the diameter of the rollers. I also desirably cause the rack 56 to be of a greater diameter than the cylinder. This construction effects a variable surface speed travel of the roller and pinion, causing the curtain to unwind from the roller at a rate of speed slightly less than the rate of speed of said roller in its bodily travel. It will be seen from the above that a pull in opposite directions is thus exerted upon each roller.

It will be obvious that the take-up of a device of this nature wherein the diameter of the rack slightly exceeds the diameter of the cylinder and wherein the pinion slightly exceeds the diameter of the roller will be very slight when the rollers are started but will, as the roller travels forward, gradually increase the tension of the curtain until the limit or forward movement of the roller has been reached, at which point the curtain will have completely inclosed the cylinder. It will be further obvious that a constructionof this nature serves effectively to lock said rollers at any point in the bodily travel thereof inasmuch as the power exerted in opposite directions, if not absolutely equal, would be prevented by friction of the parts from causing movement of the rollers in either directionl, except when they are manually operatert.

In order to reduce the friction of the operating parts, the projecting spindles 55 of the rollers are provided on their ends with rotatable collars 58 which engage directly the inwardly projecting flanges 54 of the tracks. The frictional engagement of the lower end of the lower spindle 55 is sufficient to prevent a slightly unequalized opposite pull upon the rollers from causing bodily movement thereof.

It will be seen that inasmuch as the rack is of greater diameter than the cylinder and the diameter of the pinion exceeds the diameter of the roller, the latter being out of contact with the cylinder, will cause a slight space to be formed between the curtain and the cylinder. At the extreme limit of bodily movement of said rollers, points in the circumference of the rack are desirably of reduced di ameter, as shown at 59 (Figs. 8 and 9), in order to effect an inward movement of the rollers, thereby insuring continuous contact of the curtain. with said sections 2. This construction is very desirable when the entire surface of the cylinder is completely occupied by printing matter, although it is not essential to a satisfactory operating device, nor does it contribute to the operation of tightening the curtain. In order to insure an inward bodily movement of the roller at points wherein the diameter of the rack is reduced, a similar reduction in diameter of the flanges 54 is effected, as more clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 at 60.

I have herein shown the preferred form of my invention, but I believe that I am entitled to such changes in the details of construction as fall within the scope of the claims.

It will be seen that another great advantage is derived from the construction of an actuating device which automatically and effectively anchors the rollers during the operation of inserting the matter to be printed; in which device, the operator will not be required to use one hand continually in the operation of the roller but may, after partially inserting the printed matter, leave the roller in this last adjusted position without fear of the same being moved in either direction before it is manually engaged. hen a single curtain having its ends mounted on two rollers is employed that portion of the curtain engaging one-half of the cylinder may be operated to fully or partially inclose the matter to be printed and may be left in its adjusted position, while the operator is free to insert matter to be printed upon the cylinder at an opposite point thereof and may actuate and adjust the opposite roller without fear of disturbing or in any way effecting the adjustment of the first mentioned roller.

It will be seen that the pitch line of the pinion engaging a rack is without the periphery of the roller that carries the pinion.

The device of my invention not only stretches the curtain during each operation of effecting closure of printed matter but also permits, after constant usage, a take-up of slack in the curtain to be effected by moving the pinions bodily one or two teeth ahead, as before described. One of the defects in prior devices which the device of my invention entirely avoids relates to the alinement of the roller, which, in the construction wherein the same is positively driven at either end, must be substantially perfect.

It will be seen that I have provided a photographic printing apparatus including a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said curtain, a pinion mounted on said roller and having teeth, the pitchline of said teeth being without the periphery of said roller, and a rack engaging said pinions.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent 1. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling electric lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and lamp, air retarding mechanism serving to regulate the bodily movement of said lamp, said mech anism including a train of gears and a fan governor, switching mechanism, a source of supply for said lamp, mechanism whereby said weight may serve to interrupt the operation of said fan governor, and mechanism whereby said weight may cooperate with said switching mechanism to interrupt the operation of said light, substantially as described.

2. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling electric lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and said lamp, air retarding mechanism serving to regulate the bodily movement of said lamp, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, switch mechanism, a source of supply for said lamp, and mechanism whereby said weight may cooperate with said switchingmechanism to interrupt the operation of said lamp, substantially as described.

3. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and lamp, air re tarding mechanism'serving to regulate the bodily movement of said lamp, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, and mechanism whereby said weight serves to interrupt the operation of said air retarding mechanism, substantially as described.

4. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and lamp, air retarding mechanism serving to regulate the bodily movement of said lamp, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, substantially as described.

5. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling electric lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and lamp, air retarding mechanism cooperating with said connection, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, switching mechanism, a current supply for said lamps, mechanism whereby said weight serves to interrupt the operation of said fan governor, and mechanism whereby said weight may cooperate with said switching mechanism to interrupt the operation of said lamp, substantially as described.

6. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling electric lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and said lamp, air retarding mechanism cooperating with said connection, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, switching mechanism, a current supply for said lamp, and mechanism whereby said weight may cooperate with said switching mechanism to interrupt the operation of said lamp, substantially as described.

7. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling lamp, a weight, a connec tion between said weight and said lamp, air retarding mechanism cooperating with said connection, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, and mechanism whereby said weight serves to interrupt the operation of said air retarding mechanism, substantially as described.

8. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling lamp, a weight, a connection between said weight and said lamp, air retarding mechanism cooperating with said connection, said mechanism including a train of gears and a fan governor, substantially as described.

9. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling source of artificial light, a weight, a connection between said weight and source of light, air retarding mechanism serving to regulate the descending speed of said light source, and mechanism whereby said weight may serve to interrupt the operation of said light and the bodily movement thereof, substantially as described.

10. A photographic printing apparatus including a traveling source of artiiicial light, a weight, a connection between said weight and light source, air retarding mechanism cooperating with said connection serving to regulate the descending speed of said light source, and mechanism serving automatically to interrupt the operation of said light, said mechanism also serving also to interrupt the bodily movement of said light source, substantially as described.

p 11. A photographic printing apparatus including a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said curtain, a pinion mounted on said roller and having teeth, the pitch line of said teeth be ing without the periphery of said roller, and a rack engaging said pinions, substantially as described.

12. A photographic printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating with said wall, a rotating member secured to said curtain, and actuating mechanism for said member whereby its speed of bodily movement exceeds the speed of unwinding of the curtain, substantially as described.

13. A photographic printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating with said wall, a rotating member secured to said curtain, and actuating mechanism for said member having intermeshing elements, one element being secured to the roller and one element being in continuous engagement with said first mentioned element, the engagement of said elements being without the periphery of said rotating member, substantially as described.

14. A photographic printing apparatus including a transparent Wall, a curtain cooperating with said wall, a rotating member secured to said curtain, a pinion mounted on said member, and a rack in mesh with said pinion, the meshing engagement of said rack and pinion being without the periphery of said rotating member and said wall, substantially as described.

15. A photographic printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating with said wall, a roller secured to said curtain, a pinion mounted on said roller, and

a rack in mesh with said pinion, the meshing engagement of said rack and inion being without the periphery of said rol er, substantially as described.

16. A curtain stretching device including a curtain rotating member 51 secured to said curtain, and actuating mechanism for said member, said member and said actuating mechanism having continuously intermeshing elements 56, 57, one element 57 being secured to said rotating member 51, the engagement of said elements 56, 57 being without the periphery of said rotating member, substantially as described.

17. A curtain stretching device including a curtain, a roller secured to said curtain, a pinion mounted on said roller, and a rack in mesh with said pinion, the meshing engagement of said rack and pinion being without the periphery of said roller, substantially as described.

18. A curtain stretching device including a curtain, a rotating member secured to said curtain, and actuating mechanism for said member whereby its bodily movement exceeds the speed of unwinding of the curtain, substantially as described.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this sixteenth day of August A. 1).,

XVILLIAM E. SINCLi XIR. \Vitnesses G. L. CRAGG, WM. GoLrz. 

